orchids by post

[mark smyth]

This morning I received the best packed orchids ever

Some companies for what ever reason send them in plastic bags in a box with no padding. Some have sent them in a plastic bag in a padded envelope. None had anything in the bag to keep the tubers moist. Don't they care about their plants?

I did one time get one mailed in an padded envelope and not in a bag.

The best and one of the worst will be reading this

[Neil]

Mark

If they are dormant and in a sealed plastic zip bag then the tuber then they are fine to send with nothing to keep them moist, being in a sealed bag will stop them from desiccating.  But protection from the mail system is definitely needed to stop them getting damaged.

[Maren]

That's interesting, Mark. Who sent you these well wrapped tubers?

[mark smyth]

It must be you Maren, thanks

Maren's came in the centre of a ball of moss. Mine are sent out in a bag filled with damp multipurpose so the tuber tips do not dry out

[Maren]

Mark,
it's nice of you to give praise. 
I just do it the way I would like to receive plants.

[Jeff Hutchings]

When sending plants through the post it is important to ensure the box cannot be squashed BUT regarding the plants themselves there are some very good reasons why many retailers and wholesalers do not put any material in the plastic bags. I have done both and received plants in a variety of materials with disasterous results on occassion.

In respect of receiving plants I received o mascula in slightly damp peat and within a week the losses were significant. This took place in the summer and the plants were in the post for six days. Far better with summer dormant plants to send them bare. If there is nothing growing then it is not necessary to use any material. When sending out plants that have started to grow it is important to ehnsure they do not dry out so I use a small quantity of slightly damp moss.
 
This spring I received an urgent request for a wholesale quantity of cypripediums for a show on the continent. they were in full growth so we washed the rhizome and wrapped each in cling film (60 plants!!!!!). They were then packed in a polythene box and UPS got them to France in 18 hours on the Tuesday. By Friday they were potted and fully recovered.